Cofetel Confirms Bell Atlantic's Mexican Wireless Business Far Exceeds Network Quality Standards

Cofetel Confirms Bell Atlantic's Mexican Wireless Business Far Exceeds Network Quality Standards

Iusacell Already Ahead of Mexican Telecommunications Commission's Future Benchmarks

June 28, 2000

New York, - In a letter from Mexico's telecommunications commission to Bell Atlantic's Mexican wireless operation, Iusacell was formally notified it far exceeds the commission's network quality benchmarks.

From May 29 to June 23, 2000, Cofetel, Mexico's telecommunications commission, performed drive tests in and around Mexico City, formally measuring the network quality levels of Mexico's largest wireless carriers.

Drive tests measure real world results from the customer's perspective.

Against the commission's 7% benchmark for dropped calls, Iusacell achieved results of 1.69%. Iusacell also bettered a 7% benchmark for ineffective attempts, with a 4.11% performance, according to the Cofetel's letter.

"Iusacell sets its own bar high when it comes to serving customers. The team felt we should aim to be better than the standard," said Tom Bartlett, President and CEO of Bell Atlantic International Wireless. "Not only did we surpass the current quality benchmarks, we exceeded the more stringent standards the Cofetel is planning to employ in the future."

Iusacell said it continues to work with Cofetel to further refine the quality measurement process and ensure customers receive world class service in a market that will soon see wireless penetration pass wired phone penetration.

Grupo Iusacell, S.A. de C.V. (Iusacell, NYSE: CEL; BMV: CEL), is a leading independent telecommunications company in Mexico. It provides wireless cellular service in four of Mexico's nine regions in the central portion of Mexico (including Mexico City) covering a total of 68 million POPs, representing approximately 69% of the country's total population. Iusacell is under the management and operating control of subsidiaries of Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE: BEL).

Bell Atlantic (www.bellatlantic.com) is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 44 million telephone access lines and more than 20 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.